City hanging arm, and sailed below 

This is an etching by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, titled "City hanging arm, and sailed below." Piranesi, living in 18th century Italy, was well known for his etchings of Rome and his series of imaginary prisons. His works often evoke the grandeur of ancient Roman architecture, but with a twist. The monumental scale of the structures dwarfs the human figures, creating a sense of awe, but also isolation. The architecture is always presented as ruins, prompting questions about the rise and fall of civilizations. It's hard not to think about Italy’s own fragmented political landscape at the time. There are porticoes, arches, and statues, rendered with a remarkable attention to detail. Piranesi was deeply invested in representing Rome as a site of power and historical depth, inviting viewers to reflect on the passage of time, and on our place within history.